HANOVER PARK, Ill., February 7, 2003 — After closely monitoring the promise and progress of CTP solutions for a few years, Wayne Collins decided it was time to transition his company to an all-digital workflow. "While we wanted to keep up with the changes in technology, we did not want to serve as a guinea pig," explained Collins, who is the plant manager for Philadelphia-based Smith-Edwards-Dunlap Company. "But, through our research, we came to be satisfied that the major players has overcome some of the shortcomings we perceived." After examining CTP solutions offered by nearly all of the industry’s major manufacturers, Collins chose to partner with Fujifilm and install both the PictroProof and FINALPROOF digital proofers as well as the Javelin HS thermal platesetter. "We wanted to go with one manufacturer because we were installing all of the equipment at one time," adds Collins. "And we chose to go with Fujifilm because of the technical and product support they were able to offer with our other pieces of equipment and because of the quality of their products." Collins added that because of the wide range of work Smith-Edwards-Dunlap does for a rather diverse client base, he wanted to find a supplier that would be able to satisfy all of their needs. Smith-Edwards-Dunlap prints everything from large six-color, saddle-stitched booklets and folders to one- and two-color forms and flyers. As a result, the biggest need that Collins has is speed. Thanks to the productivity of Fujifilm’s CTP solution, Collins says he’s seen turnaround times improve dramatically and now has greater flexibility in scheduling jobs. Jobs at Smith-Edwards-Dunlap are now proofed on the Fujifilm FINALPROOF Luxel 5600 digital contract proofer, which can output a four-page proof in as little as 15 minutes and features true halftone-dot screening and pigment-based CMYK colors. "We love the FINALPROOF," boasts Collins. "It is consistent in color and we have great confidence in its proof-to-press matching." Smith-Edwards-Dunlap uses the speedy Fujifilm PictroProof, which is capable of producing a proof in only 93 seconds, for quick updates or spot checks on pages already proofed with FINALPROOF. PictroProof features Fujifilm’s advanced Thermal Development and Transfer Technology to give users high quality proofs and consistent color every time. Working in conjunction with the Fujifilm proofing duo is the manufacturer’s Javelin HS eight-page thermal platesetter. "It’s an incredible workhorse," exclaims Collins. "It’s fast, consistent and reliable and it produces excellent quality plates. Our remakes have declined dramatically since we’ve put the Javelin into operation." The Javelin HS includes output speeds of up to 20 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi and supports a range of plate sizes, from GTO-size to full eight-up formats. Collins says he’s happy with his selection of Fujifilm. "We wanted someone who was not only willing to accept full responsibility for the installation, but who would also be in a position to supply quality consumables. We were also comfortable with their representatives and confident they would service the equipment in a timely fashion when the need arose." Headquartered in Hanover Park, Ill., the Graphic Systems Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. offers a full array of high-quality products and services including: Saber, the world’s fastest platesetter in its class; Dart and the Javelin Series, cost-effective thermal platesetters; Sumo, the world’s fastest imagesetter; the Brillia line of thermal and visible light digital plates; FINALPROOF, a digital halftone dot contract proofing product; PictroProof, a dye-based digital color proofing system; and Quattro, the award-winning flatbed color scanner with ColourKit color management software. Fujifilm’s line of color electronics equipment includes a complete range of imagesetters, RIPs, flatbed scanners and computer-to-plate systems. In addition, Fujifilm has a full line-up of film products and aqueous-based conventional subtractive plates.